The German Federal Minister for Transport, Patrick Schnieder (CDU), unveiled a sweeping reform package Thursday aimed at dramatically reducing the cost of driver’s license acquisition. The proposals, designed to make obtaining a driver’s license “easier and more affordable” have already drawn criticism for potentially compromising road safety and raising questions about the government’s prioritization of cost-cutting measures.
Currently, the average cost of a Class B (passenger vehicle) driver’s license in Germany hovers around €3,400 – a significant barrier for many young people and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Schnieder’s plan attempts to address this by leveraging digitalization, streamlining bureaucracy and increasing price transparency within the driving school sector.
A core element of the proposed reforms involves a radical shift in theoretical driver education. The requirement for in-person instruction is slated for removal, replaced by a fully digital learning model accessible via apps. This shift grants driving schools unprecedented freedom in how they deliver content, removing regulations governing classroom spaces and instructional sequencing. While proponents argue this fosters innovation, critics voice concerns about the potential for inconsistent quality and a lack of direct interaction vital for comprehension. The notoriously lengthy theoretical exam question bank, currently containing 1,169 questions, will be reduced by a third – a move perceived by some as a lowering of standards and a dilution of critical knowledge.
Practical training is also facing significant overhaul. The introduction of driving simulators is intended to lessen the need for specialized manual transmission vehicles within driving schools, potentially permitting candidates to pass their exams in automatic vehicles. The requirement for mandatory specific types of driving excursions – nighttime, highway and rural driving – is proposed for reduction, with the potential for partial simulation substitution. The practical exam duration will revert to the minimum EU standard of 25 minutes.
While the transparency initiative, which will require driving schools to publish prices and success rates, has been welcomed as a positive step in consumer protection, the overall package has sparked debate amongst road safety experts and opposition politicians. Concerns have been raised that the expedited learning process and prioritization of cost savings could result in less prepared and less competent drivers, potentially increasing accident rates.
The proposed reforms are now entering a phase of collaborative development involving state governments and industry stakeholders. Schnieder aims to initiate the necessary legal changes by the first half of 2026. Whether the proposed alterations will truly alleviate the financial burden on aspiring drivers without compromising road safety remains a central and contentious question. The long-term consequences of these changes are likely to be closely monitored in the coming months.